THE STRIPED BASS 25 



fall run is the best. It can be taken, however, nearly- 

 all the year round, and of all sizes. 



The apparatus for bass fishing is a pliable rod from 

 12 to 18 feet in length, according to circumstances. 

 The reel should have 200 to 300 feet of line, which 

 may be made of flax or grass. Silk line is some- 

 times used. The swivel sinker and float should be 

 gaged according to your ground. The leader should 

 be three or four feet in length, with a Limerick or 

 Kirby hook from to 3, according to the size of the 

 fish to be taken. Double leaders are often necessary. 

 Use your own judgment in this respect. In boat- 

 fishing, the float is not usually used, and the sinker 

 should be light enough to float off with the tide, but 

 at the same time to touch bottom at all times. By 

 this mode you will get large fish, as the large ones 

 are generally nearest the bottom. 



The best place for fishing bass is the quietest place 

 you can find, and at full neap tide. When this tide 

 occurs early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, 

 and if the wind is off shore and a gentle ripple on 

 the water you may take bass very easily, and in 

 abundance. In rivers, get in the exact channel, or 

 over some deep cove, near an outlet of a brook, or 

 some small stream. 



In the waters near New York City, the striped 

 bass begins to bite well early in April. At this sea- 

 son shrimp is the best bait, especially in salt water. 

 In fresh water they will bite shad roe at this season. 

 In June you must begin to use soft shell crabs, 



